Breast Cancer: Risk Factors and Treatment Essay examples

It is estimated that 40,030 deaths from breast cancer (39,620 women, 410 men) are will occur in 2013. Breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing steadily since 1989, rates decreased by 3.0% per year in women younger than 50 and by 2.0% per year in women 50 and older between 2005 and 2009. This decline is attributed to prevention, early detection, improved healthcare services and reduced use of MHT.

Women who are at the greatest risk are over the age over the age of fifty years of age. Patients with a family history of cancer, especially in their first degree relatives, may have inherited mutations of BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genetic mutations that put patients are risk for cancer. Patients that have a history of breast cancer are five times more likely of developing cancer in the opposite breast. Patients with dense breast are at risk for developing breast cancer due to the fact dense breast contains more glandular and connective tissue. Patients who are exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation to the thorax, early menarche, tobacco use, nulliparity, late menopause, and first child birth after thirty years of age put the patient at risk for breast cancer (Ignatavicius, 2013, p.

High-risk families include those whose members carry a mutation in the BRCA2 gene. The mutated BRCA2 gene is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. A child needs to inherit just one copy of the mutated gene to have an increased cancer risk. Children who have a parent with a BRCA2

Another factor that contributes to the development of breast cancer is actually the hormone estrogen. This seems unusual because estrogen is a hormone that is essential to the bodies of women in various ways. Estrogen is necessary for normal growth and development of breasts and reproductive organs, as well as for the maintenance of a healthy heart and bones. However, lifetime estrogen exposure may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. It does not actually produce the mutation in the DNA, nevertheless Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of breast cells that already contain a mutation. These mutated cells will continue to reproduce and have an increased chance of becoming cancerous.

Mind benign breast malfunction can also increase the chances of having breast cancer in later stages of a woman/s life. Irradiation at early age also increases risks of getting breast cancer.

Such findings, all of which relate to hormone-based life events, suggest that breast cancer is somehow affected by prolonged exposure to female sex hormones, such as estrogen. Women with a history of breast cancer in the family are also at greater risk. About five percent of all breast cancers have been attributed to a mutated, or structurally altered, gene known as BRCA1. Mutations in a second gene, BRCA2, contribute significantly to the development of breast cancer in Jewish women. Alcohol, high levels of fat in the diet, and not exercising regularly have also been linked to increased risk for breast cancer (Garber).

Breast Cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women in the United states and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Although it is more common in women, men can also develop breast cancer as it forms through cells in the breast. As stated by the cancer center of America “The milk-producing ducts and glands are the two most likely areas to develop cancerous cells.” This is why it is most common in females, as males lack the ducts and glands that women have making them more vulnerable to develop cancerous cells.

All women are at risk; but are more likely to develop breast cancer if they are over 50 years of age, have family with breast cancer or had their first child over age 30 or never had a child. The current recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, it accounts for one of every three diagnoses in the United States. Breast cancers are malignancies, life threatening tumors that develops in one or both breasts.

Breast cancer is one of many types of cancers’ in the world today. The cause for breast cancer is not exactly known. It occurs when some breast cells start to grow abnormally, dividing more rapidly than healthy cells do. They continue to gather forming a lump or mass. These cells may continue to spread to other parts of the body. Although it cannot fully be prevented, there are ways to help reduce your chances of getting it. Alcohol consumption should be done in moderation, because it can increase your risk. Smoking cessation not only decreases your chance of breast cancer, but it is also improves your overall well- being. Obesity is also a risk factor that shouldn’t be ignored. Staying active and eating healthy will lead you down the

A family history of breast cancer may increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Although someone in your family has breast cancer does not mean you will have it too. About 75% of patients with breast cancer do not have a family history of breast cancer. Girls who have a menstruation before the age of 12 and women who has menopause after the age of 50 can increase your risk of cancer. Older women are at higher risk then younger women. Women over 40 who have there first pregnancy is at risk of getting the disease. White woman are more likely to get breast cancer than African-American women, but African-American women are more likely to die from cancer. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer then white or black women. According to a study, woman who takes birth control has a slightly greater risk of getting breast cancer. Most studies suggest that use of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) for relief of menopause symptoms for more than 5 years may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer (Breast Cancer Statistics, 2008).

The term breast cancer represents the process in which abnormal cells in the breast(s) grow uncontrollably. (Cancer Australia 2016) The most common risk factors in relation to breast cancer consist of; being a woman, your family history, age, genetics, personal medical history, radiation, breast changes, ethnicity, weight and pregnancy history. In the year 2015, 15,740 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, and 3065 deaths occurred (Breast Screen Australia 2016).

The risk factors causing breast cancer include genetic family history or mutation, and environmental factors. Women with a family history like Angelina are usually aware of giving themselves routine examinations, and getting a mammogram screening. However, most women are afraid of the squeezed breast experience during a mammogram screening so that many women delay or miss early detection. Environmental factors include smoking, lifestyle, and other substance exposure.

Breast cancer accounts for one third of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States (Cauley, et al., 2007). The first sign in the process of this disease is a lump that forms around the breasts. For this reason, it is necessary to get the yearly mammograms once a woman reaches a certain age. Also, monthly self-examinations can aid in finding breast cancer early. If this condition is found early enough, chances of survival are abundant. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50 with 86% of the deaths occurring in this age group (Cauley, et al., 2007). Postmenopausal women have a higher risk for breast cancer, because the risk increases when levels of endogenous estradiol rise (Cauley, et al., 2007). Breast cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. This epidemic has a higher incidence rate among white women than in African American women, but African American women have a higher mortality rate (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010). White women are more apt to develop this disease than any other ethnicity. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010).

There are numerous risk factors that promote breast cancer. One of the greatest risk factor is age (1). The additional risk factors can be: